Game



April 22, 1941 E, A, PETERSON GAME- Filed Aug. 3Q, 1939 Eric A. Pefens gv I w x ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEGAME Eric A. Peterson, Worcester, Mass.

Application August 30, 1939, Serial No. 292,732

4 Claims.

My invention relates to a tethered ball game and has as one of theprincipal objects thereof the provision of an improved game requiringconsiderable skill in maintaining actuation of the ball over a desiredcourse and at the same time affording exercise to the operator oroperators.

Another object of my invention is to provide a game of the abovedescribed character which is simple in construction, durable in use,amusing in operation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designatelike parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a side elevation of my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1 on anenlarged scale.

In practicing my invention, as illustrated in the drawing, I provide asubstantially rectangular-shaped base 5 on which is centrally mounted anupwardly extending standard 6, the latter being of a trihedral andconical configuration in side elevation. Secured to the apex end of thestandard 6 is the upper end of a, flexible element or cord 7, the lowerend of which terminates superjacent the base and has attached thereto aball or sphere 8, the latter being preferably constructed of rubber orthe like.

Playing stations are arranged adjacent the ends of the base 5 andconstitute ball-propelling mediums or means 9, one being arranged oneach side of the standard 6 and spaced therefrom. Each of the mediumscomprises a bracket fixed to the base and provided with a pair ofupwardly extending spaced arms ll formed with oppositely disposedrecesses or sockets l2 in which is rotatably mounted a ball l3 formovement relative to said bracket. Slidably and rotatably mounted ineach of the balls I3, is a rod I4 having an end disposed toward thestandard 6 and on which is fixed one end of a paddle I for hitting andpropelling the ball 8 as hereinafter described. The opposite end of therod is disposed on the opposite side of the bracket I0 and constitutesan operating handle IS.

The game is preferably played by two persons, each endeavoring to drivethe ball by means of the propelling mediums 9 in opposite directions,the object being for one person to maintain the ball continuouslyrotating about the standard in one direction to effect winding of thecord thereabout and for the other person to endeavor to interrupt andreverse the rotation, the one successively winding the cord about thestandard an agreed number of times being declared the winner.

Obviously, to effect rotation of the ball about the standard the samemust be struck with one of the paddles l5, it being understood that theharder the ball is struck the greater the speed of rotation and whichresults in the ball being orbitally moved in a path about the standardand which path varies with respect to the standard due to thecentrifugal force of the ball. Variation of the path of rotationrequires adjustment of the paddle with respect to the standard and thisis accomplished through the mounting of the rod in the ball. It will beapparent that a relatively slow rotation of the ball 8 serves to keepthe same in substantially the same path.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that considerable skill isrequired to properly adjust the paddle with respect to the path ofrotation of the ball in order to strike the ball to effect eithercontinued or reversed rotation thereof. Furthermore, it will be apparentthat upon deceleration of the ball the same will engage the corners ofthe standard and cause a further variation in the path of rotationthereby requiring a high degree of skill to quickly adjust one of thepaddles for striking the ball.

In instances where the game is played by one person it is the object ofthe game to maintain the ball continuously rotating about the standardin one direction and without engaging said standard.

It is obvious that the invention is not confined to the herein describeduse therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it isadaptable. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the specific construction as illustrated and described, asthe same is only illustrative of the principles of operation, which arecapable of extended application in advance forms, and that the inventioncomprehends all construction within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a game of the character described, comprisinga base, a standardmounted on the base, a ball tethered to said standard for orbitalmovement therearound, and manually operated paddles pivoted on the baseon opposite sides of the standard for engagement with said ball toeffect continuous orbital movement about said standard.

2. In a game of the character described, comprising a base, a standardmounted on the base, a ball tethered to said standard for orbitalmovement therearound, and manually operated paddles mounted on the baseby universal connection for engagement with said ball to effectcontinuous orbital movement about said standard.

3. In a game of the character described, comprising a base, a standardmounted centrally on said base, a ball tethered to said standard fororbital movement therearoulnd, vertically disposed arms mounted on thebase on opposite sides of the standard, and manually operated paddleshaving a universal connection with the upper ends of the arms forengagement with said ball to effect continuous orbital movement aboutsaid standard.

4. In a game of the character described, comprising a base, a standardmounted on the base, a ball tethered to said standard for orbitalmovement therearound, and manually operated paddles swingingly supportedon the base on opposite sides of the standard above the upper facethereof for engagement with said ball to effect continuous orbitalmovement about said standard.

ERIC A. PETERSON.

